To ensure systematic implementation of Right To Education (RTE) Act, the state directorate of primary education has issued a common admission schedule for schools across the state to adhere for admitting 25 per cent students from Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, failing which they may face action.

Schools will have to set admission dates and deadlines as per this schedule, announce dates for issue of application forms and last date for receiving them.

However, admission to the remaining seats will be conducted as per rules of the school management.

According to a December 5 circular of the state directorate of primary education, deputy director of education of all divisions will supervise the admission process in their regions.

While majority of schools expressed unhappiness over the reservation clause, education department officials said they will have to implement it. “As per the RTE Act, all private unaided and aided schools are to reserve 25 per cent seats for EWS students at entry level.

Action will be initiated against schools failing to abide by the timetable,” said NB Chavan, Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai.

The common schedule will not be applicable to pre-schools that have classes only up to senior kindergarten (KG). Anil Kale, state project director, Maharashtra Prathmik Shikshan Parishad, said RTE is not applicable to such schools. Also, it will not apply to unaided minority institutions, exempted from RTE as per an Supreme Court ruling.

Although the admission process, according to the common schedule, will start on January 1, 2013, application forms will be issued from January 11.

Parents will submit forms by January 30 and the education department and schools will scrutinise them. After scrutiny, schools will have to declare the number of applications made under the 25 per cent reservation rule. Finally the list will be put up by the schools on their websites as well as notice boards.

Kale added,”A three-member committee comprising of a member from Parent-Teacher Association, another from the school management committee and a district education officer will be formed to look into the process.”

Uniform schedule

January 1-10: Meetings of education authorities and school principals conducted by the district education officer.

January 11-30: Schools to start distributing and accepting application forms.

Feb 1-15 : Verification of forms by schools. In case any student is found ineligible parents and education officer to be informed with reason.

Feb 16-20: If number of applications at entry level is more than free seats (25% reservation) available, admissions will be by draw of lots in presence of three-member committee.

Feb 21-25: List of students admitted will be put up by schools on websites and notice boards. In case number of applications under 25% are less than reserved seats, all students seeking admission under RTE must be admitted. Following admissions, schools will have to once again declare list of students granted admission under general and free categories.

Feb 25-28: Schools will submit a report on admission process to the district education officer, following which district education officer will submit his report to director of education.